Impactor a frame part for an impactor a part to be used in an impactor and a method for processing elements belonging to the impactor

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an impactor, a frame part for an impactor, a part to be used in an impactor, and a method for processing elements belonging to the impactor. According to the invention, different elements belonging to different stages of the impactor are coupled to each other by means of a connecting element in such a way that they can be inserted in the frame part of the impactor, removed from it, or processed, as a single unit.

The invention relates to an impactor according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention also relates to a frame part for an impactor according to the preamble of claim 8, and a part to be used in an impactor according to the preamble of claim 12.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for processing elements belonging to an impactor, as set forth in the preamble of claim 22.

With tightening environmental regulations, there is an increasing need for the measurement of particle emissions. In particular, the need for measurement is present in the development of filtering methods, in the research of various combustion processes, as well as in processes for monitoring actual emissions. In particle measurements, so-called cascade impactors have been conventionally used to classify the particles according to the particle size.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an impactor 10 consisting of several stages according to prior art. To simplify the figure, only the first two stages have been drawn. The flow 11 to be analyzed is sucked, for example by negative pressure, through the impactor 10. The air flow 11 is introduced through the frame structure 15 of the impactor to a first chamber 19 a. Each stage comprises a nozzle part 12 a; 12 b equipped with orifices which are passed through by the flow carrying particles. Collection surfaces 13 a; 13 b are placed behind the nozzle parts 12 a; 12 b. The collection surface is provided with at least one outlet, through which the flow is allowed to flow to the next chamber or out of the impactor.

FIG. 2 shows a detail of the collection surface 13. The flow direction of the air flow 11 through the orifices of-the nozzle part is abruptly changed when it impacts upon the collection surface 13. Particles 21 carried by the flow 11 and having a sufficiently low mechanical mobility cannot follow the abrupt change in the direction of the flow but they hit the collection surface 13. The particles 21 having hit the collection surface 13 are deposited on the collection surface 13, forming a mass 22.

The mechanical mobility of the particles depends in a known way on the particle size. This makes it possible to classify the particles selectively according to the size. By selecting, in a known way, the number and size of orifices in the nozzle part 12 a, 12 b shown in FIG. 1, the distance between the nozzle part 12 a; 12 b and the collection surface 13 a; 13 b, as well as the flow rate to be used, it is possible to dimension each impactor stage in such a way that only particles having a mechanical mobility smaller than a desired value, i.e. being larger than a given particle size, are deposited on the collection surface 13 a; 13 b at each stage.

The successive stages can be dimensioned so that the first stage collects the largest particles (for example, particles with a diameter greater than 100 μm), the second stage collects the particles slightly smaller than these (for example, 10 to 100 μm), and the next stages would collect smaller and smaller particles, respectively. Thus, by measuring the masses 22 deposited on the collection surfaces 13 at the different collecting stages, it is possible to determine the size distribution of the particles in the flow under analysis. In conventional impactors, the mass deposited on the collection surface 13 is measured by weighing. In electrical impactors, an estimate of the mass deposited on the collection surface is made by monitoring the current caused by electric charges discharged by particles deposited on the collection surface.

A problem with the above-described impactor of prior art is the amount of work required for removing and reinstalling the collection surfaces. As mentioned earlier, in conventional impactors it is necessary to remove the collection surfaces for weighing; however, in electrical impactors it is also necessary to remove the collection surfaces, although not for obtaining the measurement result itself, as in conventional impactors. After a given measuring time, both impactor types require cleaning to remove the mass deposited on the collection surfaces. If this were not done, the collection surfaces would eventually be filled in such a way that the mass deposited on them would either impair the passage of the flow or, when disengaged, it would be carried to the next stage and cause an error in the measurements. To reduce this “blow off” effect, as well as the bouncing of particles hitting the collection surface, the collection surface 13 is typically treated with a substance which facilitates adhesion.

Both conventional and electrical impactors must be cleaned at regular intervals. Impactors of prior art are constructed in such a way that they must be disassembled part by part. For example, to disassemble the impactor of FIG. 1, first the shielding cover 15 would be removed, then the cover part 16 of the first stage and the supporting/shielding part 17 a underneath the cover. Next, the nozzle part 12 a of the first stage can be removed. After the removal of the nozzle part, it is possible to remove the collection surface 13 a. After this, the supporting/shielding part 17 b, the nozzle part 12 b and the collection surface 13 b of the second stage can be removed, respectively. In a corresponding manner, all the stages of the impactor are gone through. After the disassembly, the removed collection surfaces 13 a, 13 b can be weighed, if necessary. The partly disassembled impactor can then be cleaned, for example by placing the parts in a separate washing device. After the cleaning, the impactor is assembled in an order inverse to that presented above, after which the impactor can be used for measuring again.

As presented above, it is necessary to clean the impactor. However, the disassembly and assembly of the impactor of prior art is a relatively complex and laborious operation. It is an aim of the impactor and the parts intended for use in the impactor, and the processing method, to eliminate the above-described problems of prior art. By means of the invention, it is possible to remove or install all the collection surfaces in the impactor in a single operation, if necessary.

By means of a part according to the invention, the impactor can also be cleaned in a simpler and faster way than according to the prior art.

The impactor according to the invention is characterized in what will be presented in the characterizing part of claim 1.

The frame part for an impactor according to the invention is characterized in what will be presented in the characterizing part of claim 8.

The part to be used in an impactor according to the invention is characterized in what will be presented in the characterizing part of claim 12.

The method for processing elements belonging to the impactor according to the invention is characterized in what will be presented in the characterizing part of claim 22.

In the following, the invention will be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows an impactor of prior art,

FIG. 2 shows the impingement of particles to be measured on a collection surface,

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the impactor and a part to be used in the impactor according to the invention,

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a frame part for the impactor according to the invention,

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a part to be used for cleaning the impactor according to the invention,

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the impactor and two parts to be used in the impactor according to the invention,

FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of a part to be used in the impactor according to the invention, and

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the processing method according to the invention.

FIGS. 1 and 2 have been discussed above in connection with the prior art.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the impactor according to the invention in a cross-sectional view. The impactor consists of a frame part 31 with an inlet connector 32 a for supplying a flow to be analyzed into the impactor, and an outlet connector 32 b for discharging the measured flow from the impactor. To simplify the drawing, only four stages 33 a-33 d are shown in FIG. 3, but it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art that the number of stages in the impactor may vary to a great extent. In view of the arrangement according to the invention, the number of stages in the impactor is not significant as long as it is greater than one. Each stage is preferably provided with a separate nozzle part 39 a-39 d to provide the desired flow properties.

Furthermore, each stage is provided with a separate collection surface 34 a-34 d, on which the particles in the flow under analysis are deposited, as described above. The shape of the collection surfaces is mainly dependent on the need for measurement. In some measurements, it is advantageous to use cylindrical collection surfaces, in other cases rectangular ones. The arrangement according to the invention does not limit the geometry used in the collection surfaces, wherein it can be selected according to the respective need.

Each collection surface 34 a-34 d is coupled to a supporting means 35 a-35 d. Preferably, the supporting means 35 a-35 d are integrated with respect to the collection surfaces 34 a-34 d to avoid tolerances caused by extra connections which will complicate the placement of the collection surfaces 34 a-34 d precisely in the correct position in relation to the other parts of the stages 33 a-33 d, such as the nozzle parts 39 a-39 d. The placement of the collection surface in the correct position in relation to the other parts of the stage is important, because the dimensioning of the stage is a factor determining which particles are deposited in each stage, as was stated above in the description of the prior art. If the collection surface is in an incorrect position, it may cause significant errors in the measurement results of the impactor.

In an advantageous embodiment, both the collection surface 34 a-34 d and the supporting means 35 a-35 d are formed by a cylindrical object, for example a metal tube, inserted in the frame part 31 of the impactor. In view of the operation of the impactor, it is advantageous to seal the connection points of the frame part 31 and the supporting means 35 a-35 d in such a way that the flow to be analyzed cannot be affected by an undesirable outflow or inflow caused by the through hole. This sealing can be implemented in a way known as such by a person skilled in the art. The supporting means 35 a-35 d may also have a more complex structure; i.e., they may consist of, for example, several parts. Furthermore, the arrangement according to the invention does not restrict the position of the collection surface in relation to the through hole, although the figures show, as an advantageous embodiment of the arrangement, an example in which the collection surface is aligned with the through hole and the supporting means 35 a-35 d.

In FIG. 3, the supporting means 35 a-35 d are coupled to each other with a connecting element 36 outside the frame part 31. The connecting element 36 may be a single solid part, to which the supporting means 35 a-35 d are coupled, or the connecting element 36 may consist, as shown in FIG. 3, of several smaller coupling units 37 a-37 c which preferably couple the supporting parts 35 a-35 d connected to the collecting surfaces of adjacent stages to each other. The advantage of the solid connecting element 36 is its simplicity and easy manufacture. In view of the control of the device, in turn, it is more advantageous to use several coupling units, because the coupling units can be preferably provided with control means, e.g. a millimetre screw, by means of which it is possible to adjust the position of the supporting means coupled to each other and thereby also the collection surfaces coupled to the supporting means, in relation to each other and the frame part. This is advantageous for the adjustment of the impactor.

The connecting element 36 connects the supporting means 35 a-35 d and the collection surfaces 34 a-35 d further coupled to them to form a single aggregate, which will be called a combination element in this application, in such a way that said aggregate can be separated as a single unit from the frame part. Thus, preferably all the collection plates belonging to the different stages 33 a-33 d of the impactor can be removed at one time. This provides an obvious advantage to the arrangement of prior art, because the removal and the installation of all the different collection stages can thus be performed in a single operation and does not require that the whole impactor is disassembled into small parts. In a corresponding manner, also the installation of the collection surfaces in the impactor can be implemented in a single operation.

On the other hand, the connecting element 36 can be made such that all the collection stages do not need to be removed together, if desired. For example, the coupling units 37 a-37 c can be made such that, if necessary, the coupling units 37 a and 37 b can be removed from the supporting means 35 b connected to the collection surface 34 b of the second stage 33 b in such a way that the collection surface 34 b can be removed from the frame part 31 without a need to remove the collection surfaces of the other stages, or the supporting means coupled to them, from the frame part 31.

The combination element can be preferably implemented in such a way that some of the elements connected to it, such as the collection surfaces, can be replaced in a single operation. This is achieved, for example, by connecting the collection surfaces to the supporting means in such a way that they can be easily removed, if desired. This makes it possible to replace and change collection surfaces by removing at least some of the collection surfaces of the combination element, for example, by means of a separate element, and by installing new collection surfaces respectively, several collection surfaces at a time. In an advantageous embodiment, after the measurement, the combination elements are removed from the frame part of the impactor and inserted into a separate collecting part comprising a separate compartment for the collection surface of each stage. After this, all the collection surfaces are removed in a single operation in such a way that they remain in their respective compartments within the collecting part. This is preferably achieved by providing the combination element with a separate locking means, by which all the collection plates are released or locked against the supporting means, respectively.

After the removal of old collection surfaces, the combination element is cleaned and the new collection surfaces are installed from a part for inserting collection surfaces, provided with a separate compartment for each new collection surface. The combination element is inserted in the inserting part in such a way that each supporting means is connected to the respective collection surface. In this way, all the collection surfaces can be installed in a single operation and it will not be necessary to install each collection surface separately as in the arrangement of prior art.

FIG. 4 shows a frame part 31 for an impactor according to the invention, as well as a cross-sectional view along the line A-A of the frame part. The frame part 31 is provided with lead-through provisions, for example by drilling holes 41 in the frame part 31. These through holes make it possible to insert various elements in the frame part 31. Such elements may include, for example, the above-described collection surfaces 34 a-34 d, cleaning means to be described below, or nozzle parts. The invention makes it possible to provide an arrangement, in which the frame part 31 may, if necessary, consist of a single piece, because the insertion or removal of the elements does not require the disassembly of the frame part. Naturally, the frame part may also consist of several pieces, wherein the advantage of the invention is clearly manifested. The elements can be handled and adjusted without a need to disassemble the impactor.

FIG. 5 shows an auxiliary device 50 according to the invention, intended to be used in connection with the impactor for its cleaning. The device 50 comprises nozzle parts 51 a-51 d to be inserted in the frame part 31, provided with holes 59 to introduce a substance used for cleaning, preferably hot water vapour, into the frame. The basic structure of the device corresponds to the structure already presented above in connection with FIG. 3; that is, the device comprises a connecting element 56, by means of which nozzle parts 51 a-51 d intended for several different stages can be inserted in the frame part 31 or removed from it as a single unit.

The device 50 is also provided with a connector 52 for feeding a substance to be used for cleaning, from a source 53 to the device 50. The dispensing of the substance inside the device 50, from the connector 52 to the nozzle parts 51 a-51 d, can be implemented in a way known as such for a person skilled in the art.

FIG. 6 shows a second advantageous embodiment of the above-described basic arrangement according to the invention. In addition to the element 61 connecting the collection surfaces of the different stages, as described above in connection with FIG. 3, and the frame part 31, a second combination element 62 is also shown in FIG. 6. The basic structure of the second combination element 62 is similar to that of the first combination element 61 with the difference that the second combination element does not comprise the collection surfaces of the stages but, for example, the nozzle parts of the different stages and/or other parts needed in the structures of the stages. Preferably, the structure of the second combination element may be such that it comprises all the elements needed in the stage, except for the collection surfaces.

If the structure of the impactor according to the invention is implemented according to FIG. 6, in which the first and the second combination elements 61 and 62 are inserted into the frame part from opposite sides, the frame part 31 must naturally be provided with two sets of through holes, one for the first combination element 61 and the other for the second combination element 62. The structure can also be implemented in such a way that both the combination elements are inserted from the same side, wherein the alternatives are to make two sets of through holes on the same side or to install both of the combination elements in the same through holes. The latter alternative could be implemented, for example, in such a way that the second combination element 62 is first installed in its position, after which the first combination element 61 is inserted in the second combination element 62, as shown in FIG. 7. It will be obvious for a person skilled in the art that the mutual order of connecting the first and second combination elements 61 and 62, as well as the order of connecting them in the frame part, can also be different from that presented above. For example, the first combination element 61 can be connected to the second combination element 62 first, after which the unit thus formed is inserted in the frame part 31.

The above-described elements, intended for use in the impactor, can be preferably processed by the following method, which belongs to the scope of the same inventive idea as the above-described impactor, frame part for the impactor, and parts intended for use in the impactor. In the method, the part to be used in the impactor, comprising elements intended for different stages of the impactor, preferably collection surfaces or nozzle parts, are processed in such a way that at least some of the different elements are processed simultaneously in different processes.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the method according to the invention. In FIG. 8, the combination element 61 is inserted in a cleaning part 80 which comprises a separate cleaning solution 81 a-81 c for each collection surface 34 a-34 c. The collection surfaces 34 a-34 c are fixed to the combination element 61, wherein a single operation will be sufficient to set them for processing. Because each collection surface 34 a-34 c is provided with a separate cleaning solution, cleaning liquids of different concentrations can be used for different collection surfaces simultaneously. This makes it possible, for example, to subject the most soiled collection surfaces to stronger cleaning processes, preferably a stronger cleaning solution, than the less soiled collection surfaces, without operations involved in the removal of the surfaces.

In addition to the above-described cleaning process, the method is also suitable for other processing related to the combination element, such as, for example, the coating of the elements, greasing, or other processes to reduce undesirable effects.

Hereinabove, some embodiments of the impactor and the parts to be used in the impactor according to the invention have been described in detail; however, the invention is not restricted solely to these embodiments, but it may vary within the scope of the appended claims. In particular, the term impactor must not be interpreted as a restriction to any given impactor type. The basic idea of the invention will work as long as the impactor comprises more than one stage. Thus, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art that the invention can be utilized in, but is not restricted solely to, for example, cascade impactors, electrical impactors, such as electrical low pressure impactors, or virtual impactors. 

1-27. (canceled)
 28. An impactor comprising a frame part consisting of a single piece and enclosing impactor stages, and at least two elements which belong to at least two different stages, said at least two elements being connected to supporting means, wherein said supporting means are connected to a connecting element, wherein said connecting element is arranged in such a way that at least two of said at least two elements can be introduced in said frame part and/or removed from said frame part as a single unit without disassembling said frame part.
 29. The impactor according to claim 28, wherein said at least two elements comprise the collecting surfaces of at least two stages.
 30. The impactor according to claim 28, wherein said at least two elements comprise the nozzle parts of at least two stages.
 31. The impactor according to claim 28, wherein said at least two elements are also used as said supporting means.
 32. The impactor according to-claim 28, wherein said connecting element comprises at least one coupling unit.
 33. The impactor according to claim 32, wherein said at least one coupling unit allows the adjustment of a single element without affecting the other elements coupled to said connecting element.
 34. The impactor according to claim 33, wherein said at least one coupling unit allows the removal of a single element from said frame part or its insertion in said frame part without affecting the other elements coupled to said connecting element.
 35. A frame part for an impactor comprising several stages, consisting of a single piece and enclosing the stages of the impactor, wherein said frame part comprises means which allow the insertion of several elements belonging to different stages in said frame part and/or their removal from said frame part as a single unit without disassembling said frame part.
 36. The frame part according to claim 35, wherein said means which allow the insertion of several elements belonging to different stages in said frame part and/or their removal from said frame part, are holes in said frame part.
 37. The frame part according to claim 35, wherein said several elements comprise the collecting surfaces of at least two stages.
 38. The frame part according to claim 35, wherein said several elements comprise the nozzle parts of at least two stages.
 39. A part to be used in an impactor which comprises a frame part consisting of a single piece and enclosing the stages of the impactor, wherein said part comprises at least two elements, said elements belonging to at least two different stages, wherein said at least two elements are coupled to supporting means, said supporting means are connected to a connecting element, said connecting element is arranged in such a way that at least two of said at least two elements can be introduced in said frame part and/or removed from said frame part as a single unit without disassembling said frame part.
 40. The part according to claim 39, wherein said at least two elements comprise the collecting surfaces of at least two stages.
 41. The part according to claim 39, wherein said at least two elements comprise the nozzle parts of at least two stages.
 42. The part according to claim 39, wherein said at least two elements comprise outlets for funneling cleaning agents to at least two stages.
 43. The part according to claim 42, wherein said cleaning agent comprises hot water vapor.
 44. The part according to claim 42, wherein said part comprises an inlet for coupling said part to a source of said cleaning agent.
 45. The part according to claim 39, wherein said at least two elements are also used as said supporting means.
 46. The part according to claim 39, wherein said connecting element comprises at least one coupling unit.
 47. The part according to claim 46, wherein said at least one coupling unit allows the adjustment of a single element without affecting the other elements coupled to said connecting element.
 48. The part according to claim 47, wherein said at least one coupling unit allows the removal of a single element from said frame part or its insertion in said frame part without affecting the other elements coupled to said connecting element.
 49. A method for processing a part to be used in an impactor, wherein said part comprises at least two elements which belong to at least two different stages of said impactor, wherein said method comprises the following steps: processing at least two of said two elements, wherein said elements to be processed are coupled to said part during the processing, and processing at least two different elements simultaneously by different processing methods.
 50. The method according to claim 49, wherein said process comprises a step in which each element to be processed is introduced in different processing means.
 51. The method according to claim 49, wherein said process is a cleaning process.
 52. The method according to claim 51, wherein said different processing methods comprise a step in which different elements are introduced in different cleaning agents.
 53. The method according to claim 49, wherein said process is a coating process.
 54. The method according to claim 53, wherein said process is a greasing process. 